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Estonian Review 8 - 14 April 2009
17.04.2009
FOREIGN NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
FOREIGN NEWS
Presidents Ilves and Zatlers Encourage Economic Co-operation
8 April - As part of Latvian President Valdis Zatlers' state visit to Estonia, an Estonia-Latvia Business Forum took place in the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event was organised in co-operation with the Latvian Investment and Development Agency, the Tallinn Business Agency, and Enterprise Estonia.
The forum was opened by the president of the board of the Chamber of Commerce Toomas Luman, and opening speeches were given by President of the Estonian Republic Toomas Hendrik Ilves and President of the Latvian Republic Valdis Zatlers. Estonian Minister of Economics Juhan Parts also spoke at the forum.
President Ilves stated, The common interests of our two nations are greater than geographical closeness. We must stick together and co-operate even more than before. Looking past today and the current crisis into the future, it is essential that businesses participate actively in shaping the EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy, so that our region will become a better functioning part of the EU internal market.
In his opening speech, Latvian President Valdis Zatlers supported Ilves's views and also called upon Estonian and Latvian entrepreneurs to have more active co-operation. Regarding the economic crisis, Zatlers stated, We must have a strategy for getting out of this crisis.
Estonian Economics Minister Juhan Parts said about the current economic situation, During the occupation, we were actually in a so-called crisis' for 50 years. Since we have that experience, we will certainly be able to emerge from this crisis.
During the forum, director of energy sales of Eesti Energia AS Aivar Tihane introduced his experiences as an Estonian businessman in the Latvian market.
Director of Sakret AS Andris Vangas gave an overview of the activities of Latvian businessmen in the Estonian market. Ieva Stukle, an investment counsellor from the Latvian Investment and Development Agency, and Jevgeni Robakov, a representative from the law office of Gencs Valters, talked about co-operation and business opportunities in Latvia.
Within the framework of the business forum, the presentation of the project Ogu Maize, which introduces Latvian food in Estonia, took place. A co-operation agreement was also signed between the director of the Rocca al Mare shopping centre Mati Pops and the project manager of Ogu Maize Aigars Strauss. After the agreement was signed, the participants were able to sample Latvian foods.
Paet Discusses Economics, North Korea with Chinese Representatives
8 April - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Deputy Director of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Chen Fengxiangi emphasised during their meeting in Tallinn the importance of international co-operation for overcoming the global economic crisis. Foreign Minister Paet confirmed that the G20 is the appropriate forum for such co-operation.
Foreign Minister Paet stated that economic and trade relations between Estonia and China are good. We would still like to further enliven Estonia-China economic relations, Paet stressed. The Estonia-China economic co-operation commission meeting this fall in Tallinn will play an important role in intensifying economic co-operation, Paet added.
During the meeting, they also addressed issues related to North Korea. Paet and Fengxiang both acknowledged that achieving peace and stability on the Korean peninsula is essential. It is necessary for North Korea to adhere to and honour UN resolutions and to work in the name of peace and understanding in north-east Asia, and also to adhere to the six-party declaration on limiting nuclear weapons concluded between China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, the USA and Russia, Paet asserted.
While talking about educational and cultural relations between the two nations, the two parties expressed satisfaction over long-lived and successful co-operation in these fields. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that those interested in the Chinese language can learn it at both Tartu and Tallinn Universities, and Estonia students have also gone to China to study the language. We hope that soon one will be able to study Estonian in Beijing as well, Paet said.
Foreign Minister Paet Hopes for Visa Freedom with Brazil Soon
8 April - During his meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Luiz Nunes Amorimi in Istanbul, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet expressed hoped that visa freedom for Estonian citizens travelling to Brazil would be implemented soon.
Foreign Minister Paet said that reciprocal visa freedom for citizens from both countries would be a good basis for the further development of bilateral relations.
Resolutions to almost all the essential issues have been reached in the visa discussions between Brazil and the European Commission, Paet explained about current developments in the visa freedom process. We hope that at the meeting of the European Commission and Brazil in April, it will be possible to finalise the text for the visa agreement so that the visa freedom agreement between the Commission and Brazil can be signed this spring, Paet noted.
Paet and Amorim also discussed Estonia-Brazil relations and agreed that developing trade and exchanging business delegations would give momentum to economic relations. Brazil is the most important Latin American business partner for Estonia, Paet stated. Foreign Minister Paet also issued an invitation for his Brazilian colleague to visit Estonia.
Estonian, Latvian Culture Minister Discuss Entry of Baltic Chain onto UNESCO List
8 April (BNS) - Laine Jänes and Ints Dalderis, culture ministers of Estonia and Latvia respectively, discussed the entry of the Baltic Chain into the UNESCO Memory of the World Register during their meeting in Tallinn. The countries filed the application for it jointly and the decision will apparently be made public this summer.
Jänes and Dalderis also discussed issues connected with creative economy. Both Estonia and Latvia have the aim of channelling as much structural funds as possible into creative industries, and the ministers also found that it was necessary to plan development of the cultural export of the Baltic region together because joint undertakings have a more effective output.
The ministers also spoke about co-operation in the movie industry sphere and between concert organisations.
Estonian Diplomats Support Entrepreneurial Contacts Abroad
9 April - At the meeting of Estonian entrepreneurs and diplomats that took place at the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised that the Foreign Ministry supports the interests of Estonian businesses abroad in finding both investments and export opportunities.
In the situation that an Estonian entrepreneur needs help finding export markets or an investment, the Foreign Ministry is prepared for multi-faceted co-operation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the entrepreneur, Foreign Minister Paet noted during the meeting. For example, potential partners of Estonian businesses have an increasingly easier time travelling to Estonia from countries that have no Estonian representation thanks to the visa representation agreements we have signed, Paet added.
The Estonian ambassadors to Central and Eastern European nations were meeting with representatives of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and entrepreneurs for the second time in recent months so that the promotion of Estonian economic interests abroad could be supported by close contacts between businessmen and the foreign service. The last similar meeting was held in December 2008.
The Foreign Ministry and its diplomats actively follow the interests of Estonian entrepreneurs and are prepared to support the activities of Estonian businessmen by finding foreign contacts and opportunities, said Paet.
Estonia Fourth in EU in Terms of Civilian Mission Experts per Number of Population
13 April (BNS) - Estonia has dispatched 16 experts to civilian missions of the European Union; in terms of experts per number of population, Estonia ranks fourth in the European Union.
Of the 16 experts Estonia has dispatched to civilian missions, six are contractual experts, it appears from statistics of the Foreign Ministry. In absolute figures most EU member countries have dispatched more experts than Estonia. But when looking at number of experts dispatched per number of population, Estonia ranks fourth among member countries of the EU.
The list is headed by Finland, which has dispatched a total of 111 experts to civilian missions, one expert per 47 300 residents. Sweden (114 experts, one per 62 914 residents), Denmark (87 experts, one per 63 324 residents) and Estonia, one expert per 81 211 residents, follow.
The United Kingdom (160 experts, one per 381 958 residents), Cyprus (two experts, one per 398 370 residents, and Spain (61 experts, one per 664 344 residents) bring up the rear.
DOMESTIC NEWS
Estonian National Museum Celebrates 100th Anniversary
14 April - The Estonian National Museum grew out of a desire to develop our national culture, said President Toomas Hendrik Ilves today in the University of Tartu at the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Estonian National Museum. This idea grew along with our national consciousness and intellectuals, and progressed from the establishment of our own museum to the establishment of our state.
According to the Estonian head of state, during the last century the museum has become a memorial to its founders, and more generally to the independent consciousness and existence of the Estonian nation.
The collection of our spiritual and material heritage resulted in the understanding that Estonia's own culture is old and valuable, said President Ilves. This wealth supported our consciousness. Our language and culture grew from being an indicator of social affiliation to being the foundation of Estonian identity.
During the last century, the Estonian National Museum has become one of the most firm cornerstones of our independence, and was the source of support in even the most difficult times. President Ilves noted that the founders of the museum did not want to preserve Estonian culture as a token of former times, as an exposition. Instead, the museum was seen as having a role in reflecting the future of the nation. He said that the founders were helped by the belief that Estonians only have a future as progressive cultured people. A proper museum is a source for the creation of culture, a modern scientific centre, a bridge between yesterday and tomorrow, stressed the head of state.
DEFENCE NEWS
Aaviksoo Discussed Future of Air Policing with Latvian Colleague
8 April - Today, Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo met with his Latvian colleague Imants Lieģis, with whom the future of common defence-related co-operation between the Baltic states was discussed.
Aaviksoo and Lieģis discussed the future of the common air policing issue in the Baltic states and the NATO air policing training held in the air space of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
According to the members of the Air Forces, it was a very successful training that was not confined to only air policing procedures, but the execution of active air defence operations was practised as well. In addition to practical value, this and subsequent trainings will have a significant political meaning for the Baltic states - there are no old and new NATO member states, but a common and undivided security space of the entire Alliance, said Minister of Defence Aaviksoo.
The Ministers of Defence stated that the Baltic Defence College is the most outstanding and successful example of the defence-related co-operation between the Baltic states, and increasing the international visibility of the school is an important goal. We must make joint efforts to maintain the school as an international educational institution," Aaviksoo said.
At the meeting, the further plans of Estonia and Latvia were also discussed, as well as the current experience in the participation in the NATO Afghanistan mission.
The next regular meeting of the ministers of defence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will take place in Sagadi, West-Viru County, from 23-24 April.
Estonian Navy to Mark Completion of Mine-Hunter Procurement
13 April (BNS) - The Estonian Defence Forces will on Friday mark the completion of a major purchase of used naval mine-hunters from Great Britain and will briefly open the three ships to the public the next day.
The ceremony to mark the completion of the procurement of the Sandown class mine-hunters will be held next to the Admiralty Basin in the Old Port of Tallinn.
To attend the function are Permanent Undersecretary of the Defence Ministry Riho Terras, Deputy Secretary General in charge of defence investments Martin Hurt, and representatives from the British Ministry of Defence and Navy.
All three of the vessels, or the Admiral Cowan, Sakala and Ugandi, will be moored in the Old Port on Friday. On Saturday visitors will be allowed on board from 9-12 a.m.
Delivered in January 2009, the Ugandi was the last of the three boats to join the Estonian fleet. The first Sandown Class boat, EML Admiral Cowan, was handed over to Estonia in April 2007 and the second ship, Sakala, in January 2008.
Under a contract signed with Great Britain in September 2006, the total cost of the three vessels was 800 million kroons (EUR 51 mln), including repair and maintenance work of the ships and training of the crew in the UK.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Currency Rates in Kroons
(Bank of Estonia)
US Company May Become Operator of Tallinn's Linnahall
8 April (BNS) - The city government may give the right of superficies for Tallinn's Linnahall for 99 years to the US company Tallinn Entertainment LLC, which is planning to renovate the large Soviet-era concert venue at a cost of more than a billion kroons (EUR 64 mln).
The goal is to create a top-level integrated fair, conference, entertainment and leisure centre, at the same time preserving the cultural value of the buildings situated on the properties of the Linnahall area, it appears from the materials of the agreement presented to the media by Mayor Edgar Savisaar.
Under current plans, the renovated Linnahall should be ready by 2011, when Tallinn assumes the title of European Capital of Culture.
The remaining part of the development project, which includes the construction of a hotel, various catering and entertainment facilities, laying out of up to 3 000 parking places, linking Linnahall with the nearby terminals of Tallinn's passenger port by a bus or a tram line, and the construction of Linnahall's own port, should materialise in the following years.
The developing company is owned in equal parts by RSL Capital, GF Capital Management & Advisors, and Remi International.
Sales Proceeds of Kaubamaja Retailer Up 3.7 Percent on Year
13 April (BNS) - The consolidated revenue of the Estonian Tallinna Kaubamaja retail group totaled 1.52 billion kroons (EUR 97 mln) according to non-audited figures in the first three months this year, 3.7% more than in the same period last year.
"Although all traders have been hit hard due to the crisis, the Kaubamaja group has managed to increase its market share and widen activity by opening new stores," Tallinna Kaubamaja board chairman Raul Puusepp said.
The consolidated revenue of the Selver chain totalled 1.1 billion kroons in Q1 this year, 16% more on year, the group informed the stock exchange.
The sales proceeds of the department stores business segment totalled 276.2 million kroons, down by 21% compared with the same period last year.
The revenue of the real estate business segment in the first three months of 2009 totalled 12 million kroons, up 17% compared with the same period last year.
The revenue of the car dealership segment in the three months totalled 62.5 million kroons. A total of 314 new vehicles were sold in three months, 204 vehicles less than in the same period last year.
The revenue of the footwear sales in Q1 in the turnover of the group was 40.5 million kroons.
Tallink's Baltic Queen to Start Sailing Stockholm Route
8 April (BNS) - The Baltic Queen, a brand new vessel being completed for Tallink Grupp of Estonia at a Finnish shipyard, is scheduled to start sailing on the Tallinn-Stockholm route on 24 April.
It will replace the Romantika, which will be transferred to the Riga-Stockholm line. Alongside the brand new ship, the Victoria I will continue sailing on the Tallinn-Stockholm route.
Luulea Laane, chief of communication at Tallink, told BNS that according to existing plans the Romantika should start plying between Riga and Stockholm on 8 May.
The Baltic Queen, which cost 180 million euros to build, is the last of the new vessels built under Tallink's fleet renovation programme.
The ship is 212 meters long, 29 meters wide and can accommodate up to 2 800 passengers.
Estonia Piano Factory Gaining Foothold in Asia
14 April (BNS) - The Tallinn Piano Factory, which so far has sold most of its production in the United States, plans to increase sales on the Asian market.
The owner of the factory, Indrek Laul, said the company has concluded a deal to sell pianos to Japan, will soon close talks in China, and has been negotiating with dealers to start selling on the Arab market as well.
The piano factory has so far sold 90% of its production on the U.S. market. The Estonia pianos became so popular there that the company lacked the capacity to produce more for other markets.
The global economic crisis has affected the piano maker's sales, but this gives the company an opportunity to expand beyond the United States, Laul said.
Output of Narva Oil Refinery Hits New High
9 April (BNS) - Narva Õlitehas (Narva Oil Refinery), a subsidiary of the state-owned Eesti Energia group, boosted its shale oil output by 22% to 158 200 tons in the financial year ending 31 March.
"In recent years Eesti Energia has earned significantly more income per one ton of oil shale in the oil refining industry than in the power generating industry," Eesti Energia board member Harri Mikk said.
Even though the price of oil products has declined over the past year, future contracts concluded by Narva Õlitehas earlier are hedging it against price decreases, Mikk said.
Narva Õlitehas exports about 40% of its output and sells the rest to local thermal energy producers.
The company processes 1.3 million tons of shale oil annually, producing liquid fuels of different fractions, high-calorie shale oil gas, and road bitumen.
Profit of Alexela Terminal Up Nearly Threefold Last Year
13 April (BNS) - The net profit of AS Alexela Terminal, operating at the Paldiski South Harbour, grew last year by 185% to 44.4 million kroons (EUR 2.94 mln).
In the financial year ending on 30 September 2008, the operating profit of Alexela Terminal was 20.1 million kroons, while in the same period the previous year it was 31 million kroons.
Last year the company earned 139.2 million kroons of revenue, 10.5% less than the year before. The stock capital of the company grew by 12.65% last year.
1 026 thousand tons of goods passed through the terminal last year.
Alexela Terminal is owned by four companies, with the majority shares controlled by AS Alexela Logistics.
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